Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An augmented or virtual reality method of wound imaging and reconstruction, comprising: operating an imaging device to acquire a 3D image of a wound that is real; producing a depth image from the 3D image; detecting a wound from the depth image, including producing a preliminary wound boundary formed of pixels, producing a final wound boundary from the preliminary wound boundary, including, for each pixel in the preliminary wound boundary, searching for a maximum value of a directional second derivative of the depth image along a direction orthogonal to the preliminary wound boundary, setting a pixel of the final wound boundary to coordinates corresponding with the maximum value, subject to a size control function to avoid breaking continuity of the final wound boundary; and using the final wound boundary, performing at least one augmented reality processing step, virtual reality processing step, authentic reality processing step, or mixed reality processing step, wherein the step is performed by a computer or a processor.
This invention relates to augmented or virtual reality (AR/VR) systems for wound imaging and reconstruction. The technology addresses the challenge of accurately capturing and analyzing wound geometry in real-time for medical applications. The method involves using an imaging device to acquire a 3D image of a real wound, from which a depth image is generated. The system then detects the wound by first producing a preliminary wound boundary composed of pixels. To refine this boundary, the system analyzes each pixel in the preliminary boundary by searching for the maximum value of a directional second derivative of the depth image along a direction perpendicular to the boundary. The refined boundary is then adjusted to ensure continuity, preventing discontinuities that could disrupt the final wound outline. The final wound boundary is used to perform AR/VR processing steps, such as visualizing the wound in an augmented or virtual environment, enabling enhanced medical assessment and treatment planning. The processing is executed by a computer or processor, ensuring real-time or near-real-time analysis. This approach improves wound measurement accuracy and supports immersive medical diagnostics.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating step comprises imaging a human patient.
This invention relates to a method for operating a medical imaging system to capture images of a human patient. The method involves controlling an imaging device to acquire image data from the patient, processing the image data to generate a visual representation, and displaying the representation for diagnostic or monitoring purposes. The imaging device may include modalities such as X-ray, MRI, CT, or ultrasound systems, which are configured to capture high-resolution images of internal body structures. The method ensures accurate and reliable imaging by adjusting parameters like exposure settings, scan protocols, or patient positioning to optimize image quality. Additionally, the system may incorporate image enhancement techniques, such as noise reduction or contrast adjustment, to improve diagnostic clarity. The method is designed to streamline the imaging workflow, reduce operator errors, and enhance patient safety by automating certain steps while allowing manual adjustments when necessary. This approach is particularly useful in clinical settings where precise and efficient imaging is critical for diagnosis and treatment planning.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating step comprises imaging a real animal.
This invention relates to a method for capturing and processing images of real animals to create a virtual representation. The method addresses the challenge of accurately modeling animals in virtual environments by using real-world imaging techniques to enhance realism. The process involves capturing images of a real animal, which may include multiple views or perspectives to ensure comprehensive data collection. These images are then processed to generate a virtual representation, which can be used in various applications such as animation, gaming, or simulation. The method may also include steps to refine the virtual representation, ensuring it closely matches the physical characteristics of the real animal. By using real-world imaging, the method improves the accuracy and fidelity of virtual animal models, making them more suitable for applications requiring high realism. The technique can be applied to different types of animals and may incorporate additional data, such as motion capture, to further enhance the virtual representation. This approach reduces the need for manual modeling and increases efficiency in creating lifelike digital animal models.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the real animal is selected from the group consisting of: a farm animal; a household pet; a zoo animal.
This invention relates to a method for tracking and monitoring the health and well-being of real animals, including farm animals, household pets, and zoo animals. The method involves using a wearable device equipped with sensors to collect physiological and environmental data from the animal. The sensors may include biometric sensors for measuring vital signs such as heart rate, temperature, and respiration, as well as environmental sensors for detecting factors like humidity, temperature, and air quality. The wearable device is designed to be non-intrusive and comfortable for the animal, ensuring continuous monitoring without causing distress. The collected data is transmitted wirelessly to a remote computing system, where it is processed and analyzed to detect anomalies or deviations from normal health parameters. The system may use machine learning algorithms to identify patterns indicative of illness, stress, or other health concerns. Alerts are generated when abnormal conditions are detected, notifying caregivers or veterinarians in real time. The system also allows for historical tracking of the animal's health data, enabling long-term monitoring and trend analysis. Additionally, the method may include features such as location tracking to monitor the animal's movement within a defined area, ensuring safety and preventing escape. The wearable device may also incorporate behavioral sensors to assess the animal's activity levels, sleep patterns, and social interactions, providing a comprehensive overview of its well-being. The system is adaptable to different types of animals, allowing for customized monitoring based on species-specific needs. This method aims to improve animal welfare by providing early detection of health issues and enabling proactive care.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating step is performed to image a patient in a first geographic location, and wherein the 3D image is simultaneously accessible to both a first medical professional in a second geographic location and a second medical professional in a third geographic location, wherein the first geographic location, second geographic location, and third geographic location are remote from each other.
This invention relates to a medical imaging system that enables real-time, remote collaboration among medical professionals. The system addresses the challenge of geographically dispersed healthcare teams needing to access and analyze patient imaging data simultaneously. The method involves capturing a 3D image of a patient in a first location, such as a hospital or clinic, and making this image instantly available to multiple medical professionals in separate, remote locations. The first professional, located in a second geographic area, and the second professional, located in a third geographic area, can independently access and review the same 3D image data at the same time. This allows for collaborative diagnosis, treatment planning, or consultation without requiring physical presence in the same location. The system ensures that all parties have synchronized access to the imaging data, facilitating efficient communication and decision-making across distant sites. The invention is particularly useful in telemedicine, remote diagnostics, and multidisciplinary medical consultations where timely access to shared imaging data is critical.
6. The method of claim 1 , comprising a step of solving a Laplace equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions.
This invention relates to numerical methods for solving partial differential equations, specifically the Laplace equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The Laplace equation is widely used in physics and engineering to model steady-state phenomena such as electrostatic potentials, fluid flow, and heat distribution. Solving this equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions, where the solution is specified on the boundary of the domain, is a common challenge in computational simulations. The method involves numerically solving the Laplace equation, which is a second-order partial differential equation, under Dirichlet boundary conditions. The solution process typically includes discretizing the domain, applying finite difference or finite element methods, and enforcing the boundary conditions to obtain a numerical approximation of the solution. The method ensures that the boundary values are strictly adhered to while solving the interior of the domain, which is critical for accurate simulations in applications like electrostatics, fluid dynamics, and thermal analysis. The invention may also include preprocessing steps such as domain discretization and postprocessing steps like error estimation or refinement of the solution. The numerical solution is obtained by iteratively solving the discretized system of equations derived from the Laplace equation, often using iterative solvers or direct methods to achieve convergence. The method is particularly useful in scenarios where high accuracy and stability are required, such as in scientific computing and engineering simulations.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method steps exclude any RGB data processing having been performed and without any other color-information data processing having been performed.
This invention relates to image processing methods that avoid traditional color data processing, specifically excluding any steps involving RGB (red, green, blue) data manipulation or other color-information processing. The method focuses on analyzing or transforming image data without extracting, modifying, or utilizing color-related information. This approach may be useful in applications where color data is irrelevant or where processing efficiency is prioritized by bypassing color-related computations. The method may involve alternative image analysis techniques, such as grayscale processing, edge detection, or other monochromatic or non-color-based operations. By excluding RGB and other color-information processing, the method simplifies the computational workload and may improve processing speed or reduce resource usage. The invention is particularly relevant in fields like machine vision, medical imaging, or industrial inspection, where color data may not be necessary for the intended analysis. The method ensures that no color-related transformations or extractions occur, maintaining a purely non-color-based processing pipeline. This exclusion may also prevent potential biases or inaccuracies introduced by color-dependent algorithms. The invention provides a streamlined approach to image processing that avoids unnecessary color-related steps, enhancing efficiency and applicability in scenarios where color information is not required.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising constructing a virtual skin surface using the acquired 3D image using capping or an interpolation method on a 2-dimensional grid.
This invention relates to 3D imaging and surface reconstruction, specifically addressing the challenge of creating a complete virtual skin surface from acquired 3D image data. The method involves capturing a 3D image of an object, such as a human body part, and then processing this data to generate a smooth, continuous surface representation. The key innovation lies in constructing a virtual skin surface by applying capping or interpolation techniques to a 2D grid. Capping involves filling gaps or holes in the 3D data to form a closed surface, while interpolation smooths the surface by estimating values between known data points. This ensures the final model accurately represents the object's shape without discontinuities or artifacts. The technique is particularly useful in medical imaging, virtual try-on applications, and 3D modeling, where precise surface reconstruction is critical. By enhancing the quality of the reconstructed surface, the method improves the accuracy and usability of 3D models derived from imaging data.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating a measurement from the final wound boundary.
A system and method for analyzing wound boundaries involves capturing an image of a wound, processing the image to identify and segment the wound area, and determining the final wound boundary. The method further includes calculating a measurement from the final wound boundary, such as area, perimeter, or other geometric properties, to assess wound characteristics. The image processing may involve techniques like edge detection, thresholding, or machine learning-based segmentation to accurately delineate the wound from surrounding tissue. The calculated measurements provide quantitative data for monitoring wound healing progress, treatment effectiveness, or clinical decision-making. This approach automates wound assessment, reducing subjectivity and improving consistency in medical evaluations. The system may integrate with imaging devices, such as cameras or medical scanners, to capture high-resolution images of the wound. The method ensures precise boundary detection and measurement, supporting accurate wound analysis in clinical or research settings.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: generating a Z-buffer, wherein the depth image is produced by a conversion of the Z-buffer; defining a region of interest U for the wound detection step.
This invention relates to wound detection in medical imaging, specifically using depth imaging techniques to identify and analyze wounds on a patient's skin. The method addresses challenges in accurately detecting wounds, particularly in complex or irregular surfaces, by leveraging depth information to enhance detection accuracy. The process begins by capturing a depth image of the patient's skin, which represents the three-dimensional surface structure. A Z-buffer is generated from this depth image, storing depth values for each pixel to facilitate precise depth-based analysis. The depth image is then converted from the Z-buffer format for further processing. A region of interest (U) is defined within the depth image to focus the wound detection step on a specific area, improving computational efficiency and reducing false positives. This region can be selected based on anatomical landmarks, user input, or automated segmentation techniques. The wound detection step analyzes the depth data within this region to identify anomalies indicative of wounds, such as depressions or irregularities in the skin surface. By combining depth imaging with targeted region analysis, the method improves wound detection accuracy, particularly in cases where wounds may be subtle or obscured by surrounding tissue. The use of a Z-buffer ensures precise depth measurements, while the region of interest optimization enhances processing efficiency. This approach is applicable in clinical settings for wound assessment, monitoring, and treatment planning.
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March 31, 2020
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